Hitch receiver with integral lighting, accessory ports and towing hooks

ABSTRACT

A trailer hitch assembly ( 10 ) includes a frame member and a hitch receiver box ( 14 ). At least one mounting bracket ( 28 ) is carried on the frame member for securing the frame member to a vehicle. A utility light ( 40 ) is also carried on the hitch assembly ( 10 ) for lighting an area including the hitch receiving box ( 14 ).

This is a U.S. National Stage Application of International PatentApplication Serial No. PCT/US01/08952 filed March 21,2001 which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/192,149 filedMarch 24,2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to trailer hitch receivers and,more particularly, to a trailer hitch receiver incorporating an integralutility light which may be selectively activated to illuminate the hitchreceiver so as to aid an individual in connecting a hitch bar in thehitch receiver, a hitch ball to the hitch bar and/or a trailer to thehitch ball in darkness or under low ambient light conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has long been known to construct towing hitches that are mounted tovehicles in order to allow the towing of trailers or the like. In recentyears, such hitches have been designed to include a receiver box havinga rearwardly directed opening or cavity for the receipt of a hitch ordraw bar that carries a hitch ball or other means allowing connection toa trailer. Examples of such a structure include U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,837to Reese and U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,198 to Borchers, both owned by ReeseProducts, Inc., the Assignee of the present invention.

It is common practice for operators to remove the hitch bar and ballassembly from the receiver box when the vehicle is not being utilized totow a trailer. Under these circumstances, the hitch bar must, of course,subsequently be reconnected in the receiver box in order to allowtrailer towing.

Over the years, towing balls of various diameters have been used intowing trailers and several industry standard sizes (e.g. 1⅞″, 2″, 2¼″and 2{fraction (5/16)}″ in diameter) are now in frequent use. As aresult, it is not uncommon for a single towing vehicle to be used to towvarious trailers where those trailers are equipped with socketassemblies adapted for operative connection with towing balls ofdifferent diameters. Thus, it is often necessary to change the towingball on a hitch bar or ball mount of a weight distributing hitchreceiver to fit the socket assembly of the trailer to be towed andthereby meet application needs.

Further, once the hitch bar is properly installed in the receiver boxand the towing ball of proper size is mounted to the hitch bar (or ballmount in the case of a weight distributing hitch receiver), it isnecessary to connect the trailer to the hitch ball. It should beappreciated that anyone or all three of these tasks are difficult andinconvenient to perform in darkness and/or low ambient light conditions.Further, it is difficult or impossible for an individual to hold aflashlight while making the necessary manipulations to complete thedesired connections. Accordingly, a need is identified for a trailerhitch receiver incorporating an integral utility light that will lightthe hitch receiver box area and provide sufficient hands-freeillumination to allow full visual observation during the connectionprocess.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Advantages and other novel features of the invention will be set forthin part in the description that follows and in part will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may belearned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantagesof the invention may be realized and obtained by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with thepurposes of the present invention as described herein, an improvedtrailer hitch assembly is provided. The trailer hitch assembly includes(a) a central frame member, (b) at least one mounting bracket carried onthe central frame member for securing the central frame member to thevehicle, (c) a hitch receiver box carried on the central frame memberand (d) a utility light carried on the hitch assembly for lighting anarea including the hitch receiver box. Preferably, the utility lightincludes an activation switch. The light may be powered by a separatebattery carried on the trailer hitch assembly, or the device may includean electrical plug for drawing power from the battery of the towingvehicle.

In addition, the trailer hitch assembly may also include a safety chainplate carried on the central frame member. Such a safety chain plateincludes apertures for receiving safety chains for connecting thetrailer to the trailer hitch assembly and, therefore, the towingvehicle. Still further, the trailer hitch assembly may also include apair of tow hooks and/or a pair of accessory ports connected to thecentral frame member. The accessory ports may receive various towingaccessories such as a bike rack, snow board rack, ski rack, cargocarrier or other such accessory device known to those skilled in theart.

The present invention may also be described as a method of illuminatingan area of a trailer hitch assembly. The method comprises the steps ofmounting a utility light to one of the trailer hitch assembly or atowing vehicle to which the trailer hitch assembly is connected.Additionally, the method includes the step of activating the utilitylight as well as the step of directing illumination from the utilitylight over a work area including the hitch receiver box.

Advantageously, by providing appropriate illumination in accordance withthe present invention, the vehicle operator maintains two free hands formanipulating tools and components as necessary to complete theconnection of (a) a hitch bar in the receiver box and/or (b) a hitchball of desired size to the hitch bar or ball mount head of a weightdistributing hitch and/or (c) the trailer to the hitch ball for towingof the trailer behind the towing vehicle.

Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in this art from the following description wherein thereis shown and described two possible embodiments of this invention,simply by way of illustration of two of the modes best suited to carryout the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable ofother different embodiments and its several details are capable ofmodification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from theinvention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regardedas illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part of thespecification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention andtogether with the description serves to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the trailer hitch assembly of thepresent invention;

FIG. 1a is a side elevational view of the trailer hitch assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 1b is a rear elevational view of the trailer hitch assembly ofFIGS. 1 and 1a;

FIG. 2 is a schematical view of a wiring circuit of a first embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a schematical view of a wiring circuit of a second embodimentof the present invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1, 1 a and 1 b showing a trailer hitchassembly 10 of the present invention. The trailer hitch assembly 10includes a frame member or cross member preferably formed from a pair oftubular steel sections 12 welded to the side wall of a centrally locatedreceiver box 14 so as to project outwardly in substantially opposingdirections. The tubular steel sections 12 may be formed with a roundcross section as shown in the drawing figures, an elliptical crosssection; a square cross section or any other appropriate shape providingthe necessary strength to function as a trailer hitch assembly.

While a two piece cross member 12 is illustrated, it should beappreciated that the cross member 12 could be another design such as asingle continuous piece with the receiver box 14 welded beneath thecross member, above the cross member, behind the cross member or in thecross member.

The receiver box 14 includes a reinforced lip 16 defining an openingleading to a hitch bar receiving cavity 18. Aligned apertures 20 in theopposing side walls 22 of the receiver box 14 allow the secureconnection of a hitch bar in the receiver box in a manner well known inthe art by means of a connecting pin and cooperating pin clip (notshown). A chain plate 24 of steel material is welded to the receiver box14 and tubular steel sections 12 in order to strengthen the connection.As is know in the art, chain plate 24 includes two apertures 26. Thesafety chains of a trailer may be connected to the chain plate 24through engagement in these apertures 26.

Vehicle mounting brackets 28 are mounted adjacent the distal end of eachtubular section 12. More specifically, each mounting bracket 28 includesa notch 30 sized and shaped to receive the tubular section 12. Thebrackets 28 are welded to the tubular sections 12 in order to completethe connection.

The illustrated mounting brackets 28 each include a mounting flange 32and an upwardly projecting mounting lug 34, both with apertures 36. Nutand bolt fasteners (not shown) are extended through these apertures 36and cooperating apertures drilled in the frame of the towing vehicle inorder to mount the trailer hitch assembly 10 thereto. Of course, thearrangement of the mounting flange 32 and/or mounting lug 34 will varyfrom hitch assembly to hitch assembly in order to correspond to theframe of the vehicle to which the hitch assembly is to be mounted. Assuch, the arrangement and orientation of the flanges 32 and lugs 34 inthe drawing figures are to be considered illustrative in nature anddefinitely not restrictive.

One or more utility lights 40 are carried on the trailer hitch assembly10. As illustrated in Figures in 1 and 1 b, two utility lights 40 areshown mounted on brackets 42 depending from the tubular sections 12.Lenses 44 are provided on the brackets 42 in order to seal out dirt andmoisture from the utility lights 40. Two utility lights 40 are shownwith one on each side of the receiver box 14 so as to provide the bestpossible illumination of the area around the receiver box and therebysubstantially eliminate shadows to provide a more consistently andcompletely illuminated work area.

An activation switch 50 may be mounted at any convenient location alongthe trailer hitch assembly 10 such as on one of the tubular sections 12to allow selective activation of the utility lights 40. It should beappreciated, however, that substantially any other convenient locationcould be used including for example the chain plate 24. Specifically, asshown in FIG. 2, the activation switch 50 may be used to selectivelyopen and close an electrical circuit 52 comprising a battery 54 andelectrical wiring 56 leading from the battery to the switch and to thelights 40. In this case, the separate battery 54 may be carried in, onor by one of the tubular sections 12. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3,the electrical circuit 52 may comprise wiring 57 and an electrical plug58 which may be connected by means of a trailer wiring harness (notshown) to the battery of the towing vehicle.

As also shown in FIG. 1, the trailer hitch assembly 10 may incorporate apair of tow hooks or loops 60 integrally formed in each mounting bracket28. The tow hooks 60 may be engaged with a chain or cable in order tocomplete certain towing applications in a manner well known in the art.

Additionally, the trailer hitch assembly 10 may incorporate a pair ofaccessory ports 70. Each accessory port 70 includes a central opening orsocket 72 adapted to receive the mounting post or lug of a trailer hitchaccessory such as a bike rack, snow board rack, ski rack, cargo carrieror other device of a type well known in the art. Cooperating alignedapertures 74 in the sidewall or sidewalls of each accessory port 70allow secure connection of the trailer hitch accessory by means of aconnecting pin and pin clip of a type well known in the art such as alsoutilized to connect the hitch bar in the receiver box. Advantageously,it should be appreciated that the utility lights 40 also throwsufficient illumination in the area over the tow hooks 60 and accessoryports 70 to aid in completing connections through these structures aswell.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result fromemploying the concepts of the present invention. Advantageously, theutility lights 40 are located on the tubular sections 12 of the centralframe member at each side of the receiver box 14 to provide goodillumination of the receiver box and the chain plate 24. In this way,one may easily connect the hitch bar in the receiver box 14, changetowing balls on the hitch bar, connect a trailer to the towing balland/or connect safety chains to the chain plate. The lighting at eachside serves to substantially eliminate shadows that might otherwiseobstruct visual observation of the connection work in darkness and/orlow light conditions. Further, this is achieved while totally freeingthe hands for the work to be completed.

Still further, it should be appreciated that the utility lights 40 arealso positioned adjacent the tow hooks 60 and accessory ports 70 andtherefor illuminate these structures and thereby also aid in theconnection of equipment thereto in darkness and/or low light conditions.The utility lights 40 are shown in the drawing figures in brackets 42depending downwardly from the tubular sections 12. Of course, othermounting arrangements are contemplated. For example, the utility lights40 could be mounted in cavities in the tubular sections 12 where theyare recessed and protected from inadvertent contact with objects andthus, possible damage. They also may be powered by their own independentbattery 54 or by means of connection through a wiring harness to thebattery of the towing vehicle. An activation switch 50 allows the lights40 to be turned on and off as desired.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light ofthe above teachings. For example, the utility lights 40 may be mountedto the body or frame of the towing vehicle where they are properlypositioned to illuminate the hitch receiver box of the towing vehiclerather than necessarily to the central frame member 14. Further, whiletwo lights 40 are illustrated, only one or three or more lights may beprovided as desired.

The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustrationof the principles of the invention and its practical application tothereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the inventionin various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variationsare within the scope of the invention as determined by the appendedclaims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they arefairly, legally and equitably entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trailer hitch assembly for towing a trailerbehind a towing vehicle, comprising: a frame member including a hitchreceiver box; at least one mounting bracket carried on said frame memberfor securing said frame member to the vehicle; a utility light carriedon said hitch assembly for lighting with the visible spectrum an areaincluding said hitch receiver box; and a switch for selectivelyactivating said utility light, said switch being carried on said trailerhitch assembly.
 2. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 1, wherein saidutility light includes a battery carried on said trailer hitch assemblyfor powering said utility light.
 3. The trailer bitch assembly of claim1, wherein said utility light includes an electrical plug for drawingpower from a battery in said vehicle.
 4. The trailer hitch assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said trailer hitch assembly further includes a safetychain plate carded on said frame member.
 5. The trailer hitch assemblyof claim 1, wherein said trailer hitch assembly further includes a pairof tow hooks carried on said frame member.
 6. The trailer hitch assemblyof claim 5, wherein said trailer hitch assembly further includes a pairof accessory ports carded on said frame member.
 7. The trailer hitchassembly of claim 1, wherein said trailer hitch assembly furtherincludes-a pair of accessory ports carried on said frame member.
 8. Atrailer hitch assembly for towing a trailer behind a towing vehicle,comprising: a frame member including a hitch receiver box; a mountingbracket carried on each end of said frame member; a pair of utilitylights, one of said pair of utility lights carried on said frame memberadjacent each side of said hitch receiver box; and a switch carried onsaid trailer hitch assembly for activating said pair of utility lights.9. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 8, wherein said utility lightincludes a battery carried on said trailer hitch assembly for poweringsaid utility light.
 10. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 8, whereinsaid utility light includes an electrical plug for drawing power from abattery in said vehicle.
 11. The trailer hitch assembly of claim 8,wherein said trailer hitch assembly further includes a safety chainplate carried on said frame member.
 12. The trailer hitch assembly ofclaim 8, wherein said trailer hitch assembly further includes a pair oftow hooks carried on said frame member.
 13. The Wailer hitch assembly ofclaim 12, wherein said trailer hitch assembly further includes a pair ofaccessory ports carried on said frame member.
 14. The trailer hitchassembly of claim 8, wherein said trailer hitch assembly furtherincludes a pair of accessory ports carried on said frame member.
 15. Amethod of illuminating an area of a trailer hitch assembly including ahitch receiver box, comprising: mounting a utility light to one of saidtrailer hitch assembly or a towing vehicle to which said trailer hitchassembly is connected; providing an activation switch for said utilitylight on said trailer hitch assembly; activating said utility light; anddirecting illumination from said utility light over a work areaincluding said hitch receiver box.